Wild Horses

Hi friends!  Brace yourself for some wild color because I've been at my Laurel Burch stamps again.  They were sold by Stampendous, but I don't see them there now, so I'm wondering if they've been discontinued.  I see they're available on Amazon and elsewhere.  Typical of me to be clueless.  I'm just happy to have a few in my collection.

My Horse Friends are stamped in Versamark and embossed in gold.  I painted with Twinkling H2O's, using natural colors for the horses' bodies but going more creative for their manes.  I didn't want too much crazy color in the focal piece because the background is so wildly colorful.  The die cut "fantastic" seemed appropriate considering the fantastical nature of the artwork.

About that background...  I was in my Joseph's Coat phase but had an idea for something different.  I used a large sponge to apply a rainbow of inks to shimmery ivory cardstock.  Then I laid my stencil over top and used another large sponge to thoroughly apply black ink to the negative spaces.  It's a striking lot of color, but perfect for my Laurel Burch stamp.

The stencil is Whispering Grass by Pink Ink.

Inside is trimmed with a leftover piece, and the sentiment is gold embossed.  It's an oldie Wordsworth stamp and one of my all-time favorites.

The next card actually came first.  I brayered ink from an old SU spectrum pad onto Whisper White cardstock, then clear-embossed the horses.  I used a craft knife to cut the image from the center of the inky background and then rubbed black ink over just the horses image.  Matted the image and put it back in place.  It's more trouble than it would have been if I'd had a plan from the beginning.  Just goofing around.

I'm working with my not-yet-used Stampendous this week.  They're a favorite company with a variety of image styles and always reliable quality.  Just saying.  Some of my oldest and best loved stamps are from Stampendous.

As per usual I'll be sharing at Darnell's NBUS Challenge.  My Horse Friends stamp and Whispering Grass stencil are both being used for the first time.

See you again soon!

Rainbow Leopard Jungle

Welcome to the jungle!  I know ... what kind of jungle is this?  Well, between me playing with stencils and rainbow colors, and Laurel Burch's fantastical artwork, this is the jungle that came out of my stamp room.  Color overdrive!

I colored the stamp with Tombow markers and blender, then cut out the whole thing.  Die cut and colored a grassy knoll and assembled the works against my insanely colorful sunray background.  Maybe we can imagine it's the very edge of the jungle and the leopards are stepping out into the light.

Just having fun.  I hope you're having a good day, too, and will be able to enjoy the Memorial Day weekend with family and/or friends if desired.  Keep it safe.  Hugs!

Stamps:  Stampendous Laurel Burch Leopard Jungle  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White ll0 lb card base  Ink:  Various Stampin' Up colors for background  Coloring:  Tombow markers and blender  Other:  MFT Ray of Light stencil, Poppystamps Stitched Landscapes

Feline Friends

Hello again!  It's been a while since I made this card.  I was thinking in terms of using some old papers with a not-yet-used stamp.  I seriously need to reduce the bulk in my basket full of stamps that have yet to see ink.  I love the quirky whimsy of Laurel Burch stamps and all the different things you can do with the color, so I combined this one with some nearly vintage BasicGrey.

I made a frame with an old tag die and I even used an eyelet.  Imagine that!  One down, 50 bazillion to go.  Coloring is Tombow water-based markers with minimal use of the blender pen.

I've always enjoyed mixing up papers and making fun, yet easy to mail cards.  This one with envelope and protective sheet weighs less than an ounce.  My very accurate little scale removes all the guesswork.  I bought the scale for weighing my Copics as I refill them, but it has come in handy for other things, as well.  The scale I purchased (in 2019) is here.

I'll send this card with its Laurel Burch stamp over to Darnell's NBUS Challenge (never before used schtuff).

Thanks for visiting!

Stamps:  Laurel Burch 'Feline Friends Like You' (Stampendous)  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, dark gray card base, Neenah 110 lb white for layering under die cut frame  Ink:  Versamark  Coloring:  Tombow markers  Dies:  Sizzix Fancy Tags, Impression Obsession Heart Scroll Valance (scallop border), Spellbinders Scored and Pierced Rectangles  Other:  Black embossing Powder, black eyelet, Stickles Stardust glitter

Sunshine on a Rainy Day

Hello to you and thanks for dropping in!  Today's card suggests a clear blue sky in the middle of a rainy day.  You know how it can be sunny and raining at the same time?  Spring is a lot like that and sometimes Life is, too.

I'm playing along with Double D's Showers and Flowers challenge.  I've combined my not-yet-used Laurel Burch Umbrella Cats (Stampendous) with several older goodies from my stamp room stash.

It was also a coloring experiment.  I tried Copics on Cryogen ivory.  I did not have such a great experience and will not recommend it.  However, I'm going to try pencils next and I'll let you know.  I'd rather use white paper, but only have the ivory.  The card turned out cute, though!

Old, but still loved:  The rain stamp is a very old wood block from a company no longer in business.  I stamped repeatedly to cover the card base.  The blue circle was embossed with my first ever embossing folder on a piece of  Core'dinations cardstock, discontinued by Stampin' Up.  I sanded the embossed circle to bring out the pattern.  See how the flowers are similar to those in the umbrella?    A strip of super old SU designer paper was added for the cats to sit on, and the green strip with cats was popped up.

This was not a quick card, but definitely a fun card to make as it involved quite a bit of play.  That same SU designer paper provided all I needed for the inside.

The sentiment is apropos of our times, but I did not choose this set for that reason.  It just worked out that way.  It's very true, though, isn't it?  If you're sharing your umbrella with someone I sure hope it's someone you love.

Double D Challenge:  Showers and Flowers

Have a beautiful day!

Stamps:  Laurel Burch Umbrella Cats from Stampendous, Comotion rain stamp (very old and out of business)  Paper:  Cryogen ivory for coloring, SU Core'dinations (retired), Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White (card base), retired SU designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Cool Caribbean (rain)  Coloring:  Copics  Dies:  Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers  Other:  Cuttlebug Bloom Dots embossing folder

Mermaid Flow

Welcome, friends!  A new week, a new month... I can hardly believe March is upon us already, but here it is, nearly spring.  Might as well start out the month with a pop of color.

I've collected a few Laurel Burch stamps from Stampendous.  This one is called Mermaid Flow.  It's one of my newest stamps, added to round out my beachy/fishy/underwater/nautical collection which was lacking, but is in much better shape now.  I colored all fanciful with my Copic markers, framed, added some shimmer... and now it's ready for the mail.

A close up shows some of the Wink of Stella shimmer.

I'm still trying to get my coloring mojo back.  Thank you for being patient with me.  I'll list supplies below.  Have yourself a wonderful day!

Stamps:  Stampendous 'Mermaid Flow' by Laurel Burch  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White for image panel, Neenah 110 lb white for frame and seashell, Bazzill black  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Copics  Dies:  Die-namics Stitched Rectangle Frames, Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets, Impression Obsession Seashell Set

Twofer Card Challenge #20: Critters

Welcome to another Twofer Card Challenge!  We're doing Critters this time around and, oh, my goodness, do I ever have a lot of critter stamps.  I hope you have something in your collection of stamps, dies, or stencils so you can play along, too!

I have critter stamps I haven't used yet... so many choices... I decided to use a Laurel Burch Stampendous stamp called Rainbow Safari to make a "hello" card and a birthday card.  I love this stamp so much and I'm hanging my head that I haven't used it till now.  Well, gee, I've recently added more Laurel Burch to my collection so I'd better get busy with the coloring.

I made the birthday card all fanciful and very colorful.  I pulled a shaded Oxide ink background panel from my stash and stenciled some leaves over top of it (Carte Bella Wander & Find).  Added a sentiment from another Laurel Burch set - Fish Wishes - and a die cut leaf.  More stenciling, faintly, on the sentiment panel.

The "hello" card is rather clean and simple.  I cropped the image and changed the layout, or design, by repositioning the image panel and sentiment in relation to each other.  Framed it with an older and probably retired Memory Box Jasmine Frame.  Cut the "hello" with a much newer Die-namics #captions die.

So there you have my Twofers... now let's see yours!  Check out more fun samples on the Twofer Challenge Blog.  Thank you!

Double D Challenge: Pick a Pattern

Oh, my goodness, it's time for another Double D Challenge!  Darlene has chosen a good one for us this time:  "Pick a Pattern".  I'll show you my card and explain in a minute.

Naturally, the sentiment is going to play an important role, but the card design is all about the pattern.

Pictured below are the patterns to pick from.  Don't worry, it doesn't have to be an exact match.  Just let yourself be inspired, as long as the pattern is prominently featured in your project.

Random winner prize is a paper pad of patterns galore:

I have so many designer papers I could have used for any of those patterns, but I focused on the pretty blue bowls and made an ink-blended and stamped background.  The stamps I used are from a Stampendous Laurel Burch set called Fish Wishes.  I probably never would have thought of this card if it hadn't been for the challenge, but I like how it turned out and you know I've been feeling a lot of love for clean and simple lately.

Wait till you see the team samples.  Inspired and inspiring!  So, pick a pattern and play along.  I hope to see you in the gallery!

Stamps:  Stampendous Fish Wishes by Laurel Burch  Paper:  SU Whisper White  Ink:  SU Brilliant Blue and Bashful Blue, Memento Tuxedo Black  Accessories:  Silver cord, Scotch brand foam mounting tape, Beauty Kate makeup blending brushes  Dies: Tutti Designs Stitched Nesting Hearts, Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets

Fish Wishes and Birthday Corners

Hi there!  First of all, I want to say how I've enjoyed your comments and stories on my previous post.  We can all relate in some way or another!

Okay, time to share some cards.  What's a stamping blog without stamping, right?

I've been at my Stampendous Laurel Burch stamps again.  Oh, my gosh, I have the most fun coloring these stamps!  Throw the rules out the window and check your color inhibitions at the door.  The first card was made for a guy friend's birthday.  He's cheerful and fun, loves color, art, and the beach.  Does that sound like one of those matchmaker profiles?

• I used the Fish Wishes set, stamped on X-Press It Blending Card and colored with Copics.
• Die cut with Memory Box Big Splash Border.
• Yellow, orange, and Pool Party Stampin' Up inks smooshed on the background then splattered with water and blotted with a wet paper towel.

As I was working along I thought of this older Hero Arts "Life is Not Perfect" sentiment set which has always been a favorite.  It seemed appropriate and fun with the image.  Mix and match.  It's on the front and inside, along with some swirls from the Fish Wishes set.

The fish I used on the inside is an ancient wood block stamp, unmarked, and I can't begin to remember who made it.  It has survived several stamp purges because I love it so much.

I stamped the second card with the Birthday Corners set.  I'd intended to save it for coloring later but I was enjoying myself so much I couldn't stop.  I must have had a good night's sleep or something.  These stamps can be put together a number of different ways, but I stamped it very similar to the way it's displayed on the packaging and used darned near every stamp in the set.

The colors are similar to those shown on the packaging, too.  Makes it quick and easy.  Inside below:

Well, that was fun!  Moving along to the next project soon.  Have a good day!

Double D Challenge: Friendship

Are you ready for another Double D Challenge?  This one has all kinds of possibilities as the theme is "Friendship", one of life's most valued treasures.

I have many stamps and sentiments that would work for this challenge and would have fit the mood board perfectly, but I chose to use one of my new Stampendous Laurel Burch stamps called "Leopard Jungle", which includes these three parrot friends.

Our mood board:

The team votes on favorites, but there is also a prize for a random winner:

You may wonder where the leopards are in this Leopard Jungle stamp.  Well, it's a large stamp and I used only the top half of it.  Alternatively, I could color only the bottom half where the leopards are, or I could color the whole thing.  It's like three stamps in one.  A bargain!

Colorful, isn't it?  I used Copics on X-Press It Blending Card, and some DCWV Animal Crackers designer paper.  A frame made with Die-namics Wonky Stitched squares, and accented with Die-namics Wild Greenery dies.   Nothing subtle here at all.  It took some time to apply all these different colors, but sometimes you just have to let it go.

I hope you can join us with your version of a friendship card.  There is a nice variety of inspiration by the team on the Double D blog.  Have fun, and enjoy your day!

Stamps:  Stampendous Leopard Jungle, Penny Black Friends Matter  Paper:  X-Press It Blending Card, white card base, CTMH Citrus Leaf, Neenah 110 lb white for leaf die cuts, DCWV Animal Crackers designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Die-namics Wonky Stitched Squares, Die-namics Wild Greenery, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Whatever Wednesday: Wild Horses

I did not know until recently that Stampendous had a line of Laurel Burch stamps.  I went there looking for something else and found Laurel Burch.  Stopped me in my tracks.  I love anything Laurel Burch.  Bookmarked!  Finally, when I was ready to shop, I indulged.

I realize these stamps are not very mainstream, but I guess that's what I love about them.  It was too hard to narrow down my choices, so I ended up with three single stamps, and two full sets.  I'd still like to have more.  I chose to color these Wild Horses first.

I didn't use the vivid colors associated with Laurel Burch.  Instead, I was inspired by a notebook I saw in a shop... similar, but different.  Stamped with Versamark and embossed in copper, watercolored with Twinkling H2Os.  Rich and earthy.

Poor horses... their sparkle and shimmer is tethered by the limitations of my photography.

I used a copper brushed metallic card base, a strip of gold trim.  Inside is a sentiment and sun motif from a different Laurel Burch set.

A small motif from that other set for embellishment on the front.

I'm going to categorize this as a masculine card, but I'm sure I'll send it to a girlfriend.

I'll be back with flowers on Friday.  Enjoy the rest of your week, and I'll hope to see you then!

Stamps:  Wild Horses by Laurel Burch for Stampendous, Fish Wishes (Laurel Burch/Stampendous) for sentiment  Paper:  Arches 140 lb hot pressed watercolor, dark brown card stock, copper brushed metallic card stock  Ink:  Versamark  Coloring:  Watercolor with Twinkling H2Os  Accessories:  Gold self-adhesive trim, copper embossing powder, light gold embossing powder, Spellbinders circle die, 1" circle punch